Automobile chain hook or fastener



Dec. 9, 1924. 1,518,649

c. H. GODWARD AUTOMOBILE CHAIN HOOK OR FASTENEE.

Filed Aug. 11, 1923 Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES CHARLES H. GODWAR-D, F ELBOW LAKE, MINNESOTA.

AUTOMOBILE CHAIN HOOK OR FASTENER.

Application filed August 11', 1923. Serial No. 656,792.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. GODWARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Elbow Lake, in the county of Grant and State of Minnesota,have invented a new and useful Automobile Chain Hook or Fastener, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention aims to provide a simple means for tightening chains ofthe kind used for anti-skidding purposes on automobile tires, althoughthe structure is not confined, necessarily, to this use. The inventionaims to provide novel means for tightening the chain and for holding thechain after the chain has been tightened.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and toenhance the utility of devices of that type to which the inventionappertains.

WVith the above and other objects in view. which will appear as thedescription pro ceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope ofwhat is claimed, changes in the precise embodiment of the inventionshown can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows in side elevation, a device constructed in accordancewith the invention; Figure 2 is a top plan; Figure 3 is a side elevationwherein the device is shown in opened position; Figure 4 is a crosssection on the line 4- 1 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross section on theline 55 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a fragmental side elevation showing aportion of the opposite side of the device from that which is delineatedin Figure 1.

The device forming the subject matter of this application preferably ismade of metal throughout and includes a plate-like body 1 provided at apoint adjacent to one end, and in its edge, with a seat or notch 2.Adjacent to its opposite end, the body 1 carries a securing element 3 onwhich is mounted pivotally one link 4: of the chain which is to betightened. The body 1 has an opening 5 located near the securing element3. A spring latch 6 extends longitudinally of the body 1, one end of thelatch being secured, as at 7 to the body 1. Adjacent to its free end,the

latch 6 is curved away from the body as irdicated at 8 and terminates ina transverse arm 9 extended through the opening 5 in the body 1, the arm9 being provided with an operating button 10.

The device comprises a lever 11, which is H-shaped in top plan, as shownin Figure 2, and of angular form in side elevation, as disclosed inFigure 1. At one end, the lever 11 terminates in spaced fingers 12,between which one end of the body 1 is received, a pivot element 14uniting the fingers 12 with the body. At its opposite end, the lever 11has arms 15 and 16, spaced apart transversely and disposed at an angleto the main portion of the lever. The arm 15 terminates in anoutstanding keeper 17 the arm being beveled as at 19 outwardly of thekeeper. The

arm 16 terminates in a hook 18 extended parallel to the body 1.

When the device is opened as shown in Figure 3, a link 20 of the chainwhich is to be tightened is mounted on the arms 15 and 16 of the lever,the hook 18 on the arm 16 aiding in retaining the link 20 on the lever.When the lever 7 is swung to the closed position shown in Figure 1, thelink 20 is advanced and is lodged in the seat 2 of the body 1. The arms15 and 16 of the lever 11 are located on opposite sides of the body 1,when the device is closed, the beveled end 19 of the arm 15 facilitatingthe passage of the arm 15 between the spring latch 6 and the body 1, thekeeper or shoulder 17 on the arm 15 engaging the latch 6 to hold thelever 11 in the position shown in Figure 1. When it is desired to swingthe lever 11 into the open position of Figure 3, pressure is exerted onthe button of the latch 6, the arm 9 of the latch moving in the opening5 of the body 1 and the latch being disengaged from the keeper 7 on thearm of the lever 11. It is to, be observed that when the structure isclosed, as shown in Figure 1, one link at of the chain is connected tothe body 1 by the securing element 3, the other link 20 of the chainbeing lodged in the seat 2 of the body 1. Consequently, all of thetensile strain comes on the body 1 and the lever 11 serves, merely, tohold the link 20 engaged with the seat 2.

What is claimed is:

A chain fastener including a body portion having a seat, a lever pivotedto the body portion and constituting a closure for the seat, said leverhaving an outstanding keeper, a spring arm forming a latch secured tothe body and extending longitudinally of the body, said spring armadapted to coact with the outstanding keeper to hold the lever in closedposition with respect to the seat, said latch having an arm, the bodyhaving an opening through which the arm extends,

and a button on the free end of the last mentioned arm to be engaged bythe finger of the operator for disengaging the latch and keeper.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. GODVARD.

Witnesses: JENs J. HAUGE, O. F. SETTERLUND.

